Col. Thomas H. Felts Obituary

Thomas H. Felts Sr.'s military career spanned more than two decades, but until January, he had never been in combat. He hoped being in Iraq would make him a better leader at the School of Advanced Military Studies.
"Tom volunteered for that job even though he didn't have to," said Peter Schifferle, a friend. "Although he was a colonel, he had never personally been in combat."
Felts, 45, of Sandston, Va., died Nov. 14 in Baghdad when an explosive detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to Fort Leavenworth.
He is survived by his wife, Kim, and their children: Sara, 19, LeAnna, 17, Rebekah, 13, and Thomas Jr., 11. The family asked that bags of candy be brought to his funeral so they can be shipped to Iraqi children.
"He was the kind of person you wanted to be around and wanted to be like," said his brother-in-law, John Waldrop.
He was a double major graduate in biology and chemistry from the University of Richmond, and biology professor W. John Hayden recalled Felts as an inquisitive student.
"He had a positive, can-do type of attitude," Hayden said. "It was, 'If that's what has to be done, we'll roll up our sleeves and do it.'"

Thomas H. Felts Sr.'s military career spanned more than two decades, but until January, he had never been in combat. He hoped being in Iraq would make him a better leader at the School of Advanced Military Studies.
"Tom volunteered for that job even though he didn't have to," said Peter Schifferle, a friend. "Although he was a colonel, he had never personally been in combat."
Felts, 45, of Sandston, Va., died Nov. 14 in Baghdad when an explosive detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to Fort Leavenworth.
He is survived by his wife, Kim, and their children: Sara, 19, LeAnna, 17, Rebekah, 13, and Thomas Jr., 11. The family asked that bags of candy be brought to his funeral so they can be shipped to Iraqi children.
"He was the kind of person you wanted to be around and wanted to be like," said his brother-in-law, John Waldrop.
He was a double major graduate in biology and chemistry from the University of Richmond, and biology professor W. John Hayden recalled Felts as an inquisitive student.
"He had a positive, can-do type of attitude," Hayden said. "It was, 'If that's what has to be done, we'll roll up our sleeves and do it.'"

"Sir, A few more years have passed...but your spirit is a vibrant memory in my mind. I think of you and SPC Garcia often and any chance I get to tell my daughters about the actual heroes I served with, I make sure I honor your legacy by doing so."- CW3 Richard "Sandman 1" Brumfield (Columbus, GA)

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Published online on November 28, 2006.

Thomas H. Felts Sr.'s military career spanned more than two decades, but until January, he had never been in combat. He hoped being in Iraq would make him a better leader at the School of Advanced...
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